WO2012105446A1

WO2012105446A1 - Light source device

Info

Publication number: WO2012105446A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/051819
Authority: WO
Inventors: 大和合渡
Original assignee: オリンパスメディカルシステムズ株式会社
Priority date: 2011-01-31
Filing date: 2012-01-27
Publication date: 2012-08-09
Also published as: EP2628439A4; CN103220962B; CN103220962A; EP2628439A1; US20130193875A1; JPWO2012105446A1; JP5245016B2; US8698884B2; EP2628439B1

Abstract

A light source device (3) comprising: a light source unit (13) on which are disposed a plurality of LEDs for emitting illuminating light in an identical wavelength band; an optical system (14) for guiding the light emitted from the light source unit (13) to a proximal-end-side input end of a light guide (4) of an endoscope (2); and an LED controller (12) for controlling the LEDs so that the plurality of LEDs of the light source unit (13) are classified, on the basis of endoscope information in an endoscope information storage unit (5), into LEDs (22) serving as a first group of light sources for directing light to the vicinity of an optical axis of the input end, and LEDs (23) serving as a second group of light sources in the periphery of the LEDs 22 serving as the first group of light sources; and so that the output of the LEDs (23) serving as the second group of light sources is made lower than the output of the LEDs (22) serving as the first group of light sources.

Description

Light source device

The present invention relates to a light source device, and more particularly, to a light source device that controls a light source based on endoscope information.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a light source device that supplies illumination light for illuminating a site to be inspected to a light guide or the like provided in an endoscope when performing observation with an endoscope or the like has been used. FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional light source device when a large-diameter light guide is connected, and FIG. 11B illustrates a configuration of the conventional light source device when a small-diameter light guide is connected. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11A, a conventional light source device 100 includes a light source 101 such as a xenon lamp, a light source group control unit 102 that controls lighting of the light source 101, and a plurality of lenses 103a that collect illumination light from the light source 101. And 103b, and an optical system 103. Such a light source device 100 is configured such that an endoscope is detachable, and different types of endoscopes are connected depending on a procedure, an observation site, a patient state, and the like.

In the example of FIG. 11A, an endoscope provided with a large-diameter light guide 104 is connected to the light source device 100. Then, the illumination light from the light source 101 collected by the optical system 103 is incident on the end face on the base end side of the large-diameter light guide 104.

However, as shown in FIG. 11B, when an endoscope including a small-diameter light guide 105 is connected to the light source device 100, the illumination light from the light source 101 collected by the optical system 103 is thin. There is a problem in that all light is not incident on the end face of the light guide 105 on the base end side, and unnecessary light increases.

Therefore, when an electronic endoscope having a memory in which information related to the diameter of the light guide is recorded is connected, information related to the diameter of the light guide is read, and based on the read information. A light source unit for an electronic endoscope that adjusts the position of a light source unit having a plurality of LEDs has been proposed (see, for example, JP-A-2002-177218).

In this proposed light source unit for electronic endoscope, the relative position of the light source unit with respect to the incident end of the light guide is adjusted according to the diameter of the light guide, and illumination light is efficiently incident on the light guide. Yes.

However, the proposed electronic endoscope light source unit adjusts the position of the light source unit according to the diameter of the light guide, and does not control lighting of a plurality of LEDs. That is, in the proposed electronic endoscope light source unit, a plurality of LEDs are always lit regardless of the diameter of the light guide. In this case, since the light source unit generates heat, it is necessary to use a cooling fan, and there is a problem that noise of the cooling fan due to heat generation increases.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a light source device that can reduce noise of a cooling fan due to heat generation.

The light source device of one embodiment of the present invention includes an endoscope information storage unit that stores endoscope information, a light guide path that guides light from the proximal end side to the distal end side, and illumination light that is guided by the light guide path. A plurality of light sources for emitting illumination light in the same wavelength band, wherein the light source device is connected to the base end side input end of the light guide path of the endoscope. A light source unit in which light is emitted from the light source unit, and a light guide path in the light source that guides light emitted from the light source unit to the proximal end side input end of the light guide path of the endoscope, and the inner part of the endoscope information storage unit. Based on the endoscope information, the plurality of light sources of the light source unit are divided into a first light source group that enters the vicinity of the optical axis of the input end, and a second light source group around the first light source group. A light source that performs classification and controls to reduce the output of the second light source group from the output of the first light source group It includes a control unit, a.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the endoscope system containing the light source device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a detailed structure of a light source unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the lighting state of the light source unit when a large diameter light guide is connected. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the lighting state of the light source unit when a small diameter light guide is connected. It is a figure which shows the structure of the endoscope system containing the light source device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a detailed structure of a light source unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the lighting state of a light source unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the light control of a light source unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of other arrangement | positioning of LED. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of other arrangement | positioning of LED. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of other arrangement | positioning of LED. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the light source unit which has three light source groups. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the light source device which has several light source units. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional light source device when a large diameter light guide is connected. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional light source device when a small diameter light guide is connected.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an endoscope system including a light source device according to a first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 1 includes an endoscope 2 that images a subject inside a living body, and a light source device 3 that supplies illumination light for illuminating the subject to the endoscope 2. Configured.

The endoscope 2 is configured to be detachable from the light source device 3 via a connector or the like (not shown). The inside of the endoscope 2 is inserted from the proximal end side to the distal end side and guides the illumination light from the light source device 3, and diameter information (hereinafter, referred to as diameter information on the diameter of the light guide 4). Endoscope information storage unit 5 in which is stored (also referred to as endoscope information).

An end face on the light incident side of the light guide 4 (hereinafter also referred to as a base end side input end) is disposed on the proximal end side of the endoscope 2, and an end face on the light emitting side of the light guide 4 on the distal end side of the endoscope 2. (Hereinafter also referred to as a front end side output end) is disposed. When the endoscope 2 is connected to the light source device 3, the proximal end side input end of the light guide 4 is connected to the light source device 3. The light guide 4 as a light guide guides the illumination light input to the proximal end input end to the distal end output end. With such a configuration, the illumination light emitted from the light source device 3 is incident on the proximal input side and then emitted from the distal output end of the light guide 4 to illuminate the subject inside the living body.

The light source device 3 includes an endoscope information reading unit 11, an LED control unit 12, a light source unit 13 having a plurality of LEDs, and an optical system 14 having

lenses

14a and 14b.

The endoscope information reading unit 11 reads the endoscope information related to the diameter of the light guide 4 from the endoscope information storage unit 5 of the endoscope 2 connected to the light source device 3 and reads the endoscope information. The mirror information is output to the LED control unit 12.

In the present embodiment, the endoscope information storage unit 5 in which the endoscope information related to the diameter of the light guide 4 is stored is provided in the endoscope 2. The endoscope information storage unit 5 may be provided. In this case, information regarding the type of endoscope 2 (endoscope ID) and endoscope information regarding the diameter of the light guide 4 are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit of the light source device 3. Then, when the endoscope 2 is connected, the light source device 3 reads out information (endoscope ID) regarding the type of the connected endoscope 2, and the endoscope regarding the diameter of the corresponding light guide 4. The mirror information is output to the LED control unit 12.

The LED control unit 12 as a light source control unit controls lighting or extinguishing of LEDs as a plurality of light sources of the light source unit 13 based on the endoscope information input from the endoscope information reading unit 11.

The light source unit 13 is provided with a plurality of LEDs that emit illumination light of the same color, that is, illumination light of the same wavelength band. Details of the arrangement of the plurality of LEDs will be described with reference to FIG. The plurality of LEDs of the light source unit 13 are turned on or off according to the control from the LED control unit 12. Illumination light from one or more LEDs that are turned on in response to control from the LED control unit 12 is incident on the optical system 14.

The

lenses

14 a and 14 b of the optical system 14 collect the illumination light emitted from the light source unit 13 and enter the proximal end side input end of the light guide 4. In this way, the optical system 14 constitutes a light guide path in the light source that guides the emitted light from the light source unit 13 to the proximal end side input end of the light guide 4 of the endoscope 2. The illumination light incident on the proximal end side input end of the light guide 4 is emitted from the distal end side output end and illuminates the subject.

Here, the detailed configuration of the light source unit 13 of the light source device 3 configured as described above and the lighting state of the light source unit 13 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a detailed configuration of the light source unit, and FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining an example of a lighting state of the light source unit when a large-diameter light guide is connected. FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining an example of a lighting state of the light source unit when a thin light guide is connected.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light source unit 13 includes an LED substrate 21 and a plurality of

LEDs

22 and 23 arranged on the LED substrate 21. The LED 22 as the first light source group is disposed at the approximate center of the LED substrate 21, and the LED 23 as the second light source group is configured by six LEDs 23, and is disposed on the LED substrate 21 in a substantially annular shape centering on the LED 22. Is done.

Illumination light from the LED 22 as the first light source group is incident in the vicinity of the optical axis (center axis) of the proximal end input end of the light guide 4. The illumination light from the LED 23 serving as the second light source group arranged around the first light source group is closer to the optical axis (center axis) of the proximal input side of the light guide 4 than the illumination light from the LED 22. Incident to the surroundings. Note that the first light source group has one LED 22, but may have two or more LEDs. Therefore, although it is one LED22 here, it is called the 1st light source group.

The LED control unit 12 is connected to the light source unit 13 by two control lines A and B. For example, the control line A is a control line for controlling the lighting or extinguishing of the LEDs 22 as the first light source group, and the control line B is for controlling the lighting or extinguishing of the LEDs 23 as the second light source group. Control line.

The LED control unit 12 uses the control line A and the control line B on the basis of the endoscope information read from the endoscope 2, and the LED 22 as the first light source group and the second light source group, respectively. The LED 23 is turned on or off.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the LED control unit 12 performs control to turn on the LED 22 as the first light source group and the LED 23 as the second light source group when the large-diameter light guide 4 a is connected. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, the LED control unit 12 turns on the LED 22 as the first light source group when the small-diameter light guide 4b is connected, and is arranged around the first light source group. Control is performed to turn off the LED 23 as the second light source group.

As described above, when the LED control unit 12 determines that the small-diameter light guide 4b is connected based on the endoscope information read from the endoscope information storage unit 5, as the second light source group, Control for stopping the output of the LED 23 is performed. In addition, when it is determined that the light guide 4b having a small diameter is connected, the LED control unit 12 may perform control to drop the output of the LED 23 as the second light source group from the output of the first light source group. .

As described above, the light source device 3 uses the LED 22 as the first light source group and the second light source group based on the endoscope information regarding the diameter of the light guide 4 of the endoscope 2 to be connected. The LED 23 is controlled to be turned on or off. As a result, it is possible to control the number of LEDs to be turned on according to the diameter of the light guide 4, that is, to control the lighting of the first light source group and the second light source group individually. It is possible to suppress the temperature rise.

Therefore, according to the light source device of the present embodiment, the noise of the cooling fan due to heat generation can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an endoscope system including the light source device according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the endoscope system 1 a includes an endoscope 2 a, a light source device 3 a, and a processor 30.

At the tip of the endoscope 2a, an objective lens (not shown) that connects an optical image of the illuminated subject is provided. An imaging element 6 such as a CCD is provided at the imaging position of the objective lens. The image sensor 6 photoelectrically converts the imaged optical image to generate an image signal. The image sensor 6 is connected to the processor 30 via a signal line, and outputs an image signal generated via this signal to the processor 30.

The processor 30 includes a brightness information calculation unit 31, and an imaging signal from the image sensor 6 is supplied to the brightness information calculation unit 31.

The brightness information calculation unit 31 calculates the brightness information of the captured image from the imaging signal supplied from the imaging device 6. The brightness information is not limited to the captured image information, and may be numerical data of luminance information, for example. The brightness information calculation unit 31 outputs the calculated brightness information to the LED control unit 12a of the light source device 3a.

Based on the endoscope information from the endoscope information reading unit 11 and the brightness information from the brightness information calculation unit 31, the LED control unit 12a includes the LED 22 and the second light source as a first light source group. The LED 23 is turned on or off as a group, and the dimming control of the

LEDs

22 and 23 is performed. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Here, a detailed configuration of the light source unit 13 of the light source device 3a configured as described above, a lighting state of the light source unit 13, and dimming control will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a detailed configuration of the light source unit, FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a lighting state of the light source unit, and FIG. 7 is a light control of the light source unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of control.

As shown in FIG. 5, the configuration of the light source unit 13 is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, brightness information is input to the LED control unit 12a as brightness information input means in addition to the endoscope information. The brightness information is information obtained by calculating an imaging signal obtained by the imaging device 6 of the endoscope 2 by supplying it to the brightness information calculation unit 31 of the processor 30.

The LED control unit 12a performs on / off control and dimming control of the LED 22 as the first light source group and the LED 23 as the second light source group based on the input endoscope information and brightness information. .

As shown in FIG. 6, also in the LED 23 as the second light source group disposed around the LED 22 as the first light source group, the illumination light emitted at a position near the center of the LED substrate 12 has a small diameter. Of the light guide 4b. Therefore, the LED control unit 12a performs dimming control of the LED 22 (first light source group) and the LED 23 (second light source group) according to the dimming rate calculated based on the brightness information. In particular, the LED control unit 12a controls the current value of the current supplied to the LED 22 (first light source group) and the LED 23 (second light source group) and the pulse width (duty) according to the dimming rate. To do.

As shown in FIG. 7, the LED control unit 12a controls the current value of the current supplied to the LED 22 (first light source group) and the LED 23 (second light source group) and the duty based on the brightness information. . For example, when the light control is 20%, the LED control unit 12a controls the current value of the current supplied to the LED 22 (first light source group) to 50% and the duty to 30%, and the LED 23 (second light source group). The current value of the current supplied to is controlled to 0% and the duty is controlled to 0%. Further, for example, when the light control is 100%, the LED control unit 12a controls the current value of the current supplied to the LED 22 (first light source group) to 100% and the duty to 100%, and the LED 23 (second light source). The current value of the current supplied to the group) is controlled to 80% and the duty to 70%.

As described above, the LED control unit 12a prioritizes the LED 23 as the second light source group over the LED 22 as the first light source group when reducing the illumination light emitted from the light source unit 13 based on the brightness information. Control to reduce the output.

As described above, the light source device 3a of the present embodiment turns on and adjusts the first light source group and the second light source group based on the brightness information in addition to the endoscope information related to the diameter of the light guide 4. Light control was performed. As a result, since the first light source group and the second light source group can be individually turned on and dimmed, generation of useless light can be suppressed and temperature rise can be suppressed.

Therefore, according to the light source device of the present embodiment, the noise of the cooling fan due to heat generation can be reduced as in the first embodiment.

(Modification)
The light source device of the present embodiment is not limited to the

light source devices

3 and 3a of the first and second embodiments described above. For example, the arrangement of the LED 22 that is the first light source group and the LED 23 that is the second light source group may not be the arrangement shown in FIG.

8A, 8B, and 8C are diagrams for explaining examples of other arrangements of LEDs.

The light source unit 13a shown in FIG. 8A is arranged in a substantially rhombus shape around the first light source group and five LEDs 22 as the first light source group arranged in the approximate center of the LED substrate 21 and in the vertical and horizontal directions. In addition, it has eight LEDs 23 as a second light source group.

The light source unit 13b shown in FIG. 8B includes one LED 22 serving as a first light source group disposed substantially at the center of the LED substrate 21, and a second light source disposed in a substantially square shape around the first light source group. It has eight LEDs 23 as a group.

The light source unit 13 shown in FIG. 8C is arranged in a substantially elliptic shape around the first light source group, with two LEDs 22 as the first light source group arranged in the left-right direction with respect to the approximate center of the LED substrate 21. It has eight LEDs 23 as a second light source group.

Thus, the arrangement of the first and second light source groups is not limited to the arrangement of the first and second light source groups as shown in FIG.

Moreover, although the light source unit 13 of 1st and 2nd embodiment is the structure which has LED22 as a 1st light source group, and LED23 as a 2nd light source group, it has three or more light source groups. It may be a configuration.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a light source unit having three light source groups.

As shown in FIG. 9, the LED arrangement of the light source unit 13d is the same as in FIG. 8A.

The light source unit 13d includes one LED 22 serving as a first light source group disposed substantially at the center of the LED substrate 21, and four LEDs 23 serving as second light source groups disposed in the vertical and horizontal directions of the first light source group. And eight LEDs 24 as a third light source group arranged in a substantially diamond shape around the second light source group.

In the light source unit 13d having three light source groups (three or more are the same), the first light source group, the second light source group, and the third light source group from the center of the optical axis, in other words, the center of the LED substrate 21. The light source group is arranged. When controlling the three light source groups, in addition to the control line A and the control line B described above, a control line C is provided between the LED control unit 12 and the light source unit 13, and the control line C is used to The LED 24 as the light source group 3 is controlled to be turned on and off.

Further, the light source device 3 according to the first and second embodiments is configured to have one light source unit 13, but may be configured to include two or more light source units.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a light source device having a plurality of light source units.

As shown in FIG. 10, the light source device 3 includes a light source unit 13e in addition to the light source unit 13. The light source unit 13e has the same configuration as that of the light source unit 13, and includes an LED 22a as a first light source group and an LED 23a as a second light source group on an LED substrate 21a. The LEDs 22a and LED23a emit illumination light having the same wavelength band, but emit illumination light having a wavelength band different from that of the LED22 and LED23.

In addition to the

lenses

14a and 14b, the optical system 14 includes a lens 14c that collects the illumination light from the light source unit 13e, an optical path of the illumination light from the light source unit 13, and an optical path of the illumination light from the light source unit 13e. And a dichroic filter 32 to be coupled.

The dichroic filter 32 couples the optical paths of the illumination light from the

light source units

13 and 13e by transmitting the illumination light emitted from the light source unit 13 and reflecting the illumination light emitted from the light source unit 13e.

As described above, when the plurality of

light source units

13 and 13e are provided, the optical path may be changed using the dichroic filter 32 or the like.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

This application is filed on the basis of the priority claim of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-18498, filed in Japan on January 31, 2011, and the above disclosure is disclosed in the present specification and claims. It shall be cited in the drawing.

Claims

An endoscope information storage unit that stores endoscope information; a light guide that guides light from a proximal end side to a distal end side; and an imaging unit that images a subject illuminated by illumination light guided by the light guide passage; A light source device to which the base end side input end of the light guide path of the endoscope provided with
A light source unit in which a plurality of light sources that emit illumination light in the same wavelength band are arranged;
A light guide path in the light source that guides the emitted light from the light source unit to the base end side input end of the light guide path of the endoscope;
Based on the endoscope information in the endoscope information storage unit, a first light source group that makes the plurality of light sources of the light source unit incident in the vicinity of the optical axis of the input end, and the first light source group A light source control unit that performs control to separate the output of the second light source group from the output of the first light source group;
A light source device comprising:
The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the light source control unit performs control to stop the output of the second light source group.
Brightness information input means for inputting brightness information of a captured image captured by the imaging means of the endoscope;
The light source control unit performs control to reduce the output in preference to the second light source group over the first light source group when performing control to reduce the light emitted from the light source unit based on the brightness information. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the light source device is performed.
The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources of the light source unit are LEDs.